Connector block for a terminal assembly

A hermetically sealed compressor comprising:

• a sealed metal chamber;
• a compressor mounted within the sealed metal chamber;
• a motor connected to the compressor to drive the compressor;
• a terminal assembly electrically connected to the motor, the terminal assembly comprising a cup-shaped body extending through and sealed along the peripheral rim thereof to an aperture in the wall of the sealed metal chamber, the cup-shaped body having an open end and a plurality of electrical conductor pins extending from inside the cup-shaped body, the electrical conductor pins providing end portions which extend into the inside of the sealed metal chamber;
• and
• a connector block adaptable to engage with the terminal assembly, wherein the connector block comprises:
• a substantially flat surface defining a plurality of holes adaptable to receive the end portions of the plurality of electrical conductor pins when the connector block is engaged with the terminal assembly, the substantially flat surface further defining a connector lip extended around the perimeter of the substantially flat surface, the connector lip adaptable to overlap at least a portion of an outer peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body, such that at least of portion of the pins are surrounded by both the lip and an inner peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body.

A method of minimizing electrical arcing inside a cup-shaped body of a terminal assembly of a hermetically scaled compressor during operation of the compressor, wherein the cup-shaped body extends through and is sealed along the peripheral rim thereof to an aperture in the wall of the hermetically sealed compressor, the method comprising:

• mounting a plurality of electrical conductor pins inside an open end of the cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly, the electrical conductor pins providing end portions which extend into the inside of the compressor;
• providing a connector block adaptable to couple with the terminal assembly, wherein the connector block defines a substantially flat surface on one side of the connector block, the substantially flat surface being adaptable to engage with the open end of the cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly, wherein the substantially flat surface defines a plurality of holes adaptable to accommodate the end portions of the plurality of electrical conductor pins, and wherein the substantially flat surface further defines a connector lip around the perimeter of the substantially flat surface;
• and
• coupling the terminal assembly with the connector block such that the connector lip overlaps and covers the open end of the cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly, the connector lip adaptable to overlap at least a portion of an outer peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body, such that at least of portion of the pins arc surrounded by both the lip and an inner peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body.

A connector block adaptable to engage with a terminal assembly of a hermetically sealed compressor having a motor and a compressor mounted therein, wherein the terminal assembly comprises a cup-shaped body extending through and sealed along the peripheral rim thereof to an aperture in the wall of the hermetically sealed compressor, the cup-shaped body having an open end and a plurality of electrical conductor pins extending therefrom, the electrical conductor pins providing end portions which extend into the inside of the hermetically sealed compressor, the connector block comprising:

• a first open end;
• wherein the first open end defines a substantially flat surface;
• and
• wherein the substantially flat surface defines a plurality of holes adaptable to receive the end portions of the plurality of electrical conductor pins when the connector block is engaged with the terminal assembly, and wherein the substantially flat surface further defines a connector lip extending around the perimeter of the substantially flat surface, the connector lip adaptable to overlap at least a portion of an outer peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body, such that at least of portion of the pins are surrounded by both the lip and an inner peripheral side wall of the cup-shaped body.

A connector block adaptable to engage with a terminal assembly of a hermetically sealed compressor having a motor and a compressor mounted therein, wherein the terminal assembly comprises a cup-shaped body extending through and sealed along the peripheral rim thereof to an aperture in the wall of the hermetically sealed compressor, the cup-shaped body having an open end and a plurality of electrical conductor pins extending therefrom, the electrical conductor pins providing end portions which extend into the inside of the hermetically sealed compressor, the connector block comprising:

• an open end;
• wherein the open end defines a substantially flat surface;
• and
• wherein the substantially flat surface defines means for receiving the end portions of the plurality of electrical conductor pins when the connector block is engaged with the terminal assembly, and wherein the substantially flat surface further defines means for sealingly-covering the open end of the cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly.